Regulation: ‘Privatisation should be top priority’

Finance adviser says all political parties should follow agenda

ISLAMABAD: Privatisation should be at the top of the agenda of all political parties’ manifestos for the forthcoming general elections, said Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Dr Miftah Ismail.

Speaking at a high-level pre-budget symposium 2018 organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, he said that whoever is elected to power should have the mandate to freely implement privatisation reforms agenda without unnecessary opposition.

Ismail said that to fight poverty significantly, Pakistan has to grow at 8%. “For that we have to change the way we have been doing things in the past,” he said, adding that the current governance model is not measuring up to the expectation of the people, which requires change.

“Under the tax amnesty scheme, we are giving tax evaders a chance to declare their undeclared wealth,” said the adviser, adding, “With the help of NADRA, we have identified and prepared a list of tax evaders, especially in the real estate sector and hope to have a large number of evaders into the tax net.”

“We are enabling a system in which only those can buy properties or plot who are tax filers.”

Speaking on the occasion, Planning Commission, Deputy Chairman Sartaj Aziz said, “Due to CPEC-related activities, improved energy security and law and order situation, we are hoping to have more than 6% growth rate this year.”

“We have increased the development budget portfolio by three times in the last five years.”

SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qayuim Suleri said at the moment when the growth rate is sustainable and growing, there is a dire need for depoliticising Pakistan’s economy.

“Instead of criticising, the opposition political parties should come up with alternative budget proposals,” he said, adding that all political parties should have consensus on major economic issues. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2018.

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